I briefly touched upon the 'Dynamic Duo' of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale in my most recent posts about NBC's 'Heroes'. Upon mention of their names, a good majority of the comic book Illuminati would probably direct you to their work together on 'Batman: The Long Halloween/Dark Victory'...'Catwoman: When In Rome'...'Superman For All Seasons'.
As their aforementioned work for DC is nothing short of amazing, i'm sure i'll end blogging about it as I slowly continue to catch up w/ so much of the great work i've missed. That said, today, i'd like to talk about their color-themed work for Marvel...very different than the Batman stuff, but no less fantastic.
Each released as a limited series between 2001-2004 and eventual HB/TPB collected form, 'Daredevil: Yellow', 'Spider-Man: Blue' and 'Hulk: Gray' all chronicle their respective Marvel characters in their most formative years. Each story also balances hard fought battles w/ some of their most classic antagonists w/ the internal struggle over lost loves that still haunt them years later.
'Daredevil: Yellow' is an epistolary take on the origin story, using letters written to Karen Page after her death. One has to question if there is only a Karen/Matt Murdock/Foggy Nelson triangle to contend w/ or a much more complex Karen/Matt/Daredevil we see taking place as well. Along the way, we are also treated to run-ins w/ vintage Marvel baddies in Electro, The Owl and The Purple Man as Matt moves beyond vengeance over his father's death into something more heroic.
Where 'Yellow' was strung together by a narrative of letters that will never be read by the women they were meant for, in 'Spider-Man: Blue' recounts the webslinger's early career via posthumous messages into a tape recorder from Peter Parker to long-departed love Gwen Stacy. We bear witness to the quasi-love triangle between Peter/Gwen and the spicy M.J. Watson, plus the much more dangerous liaisons w/ classic Spidey foes in The Green Goblin, The Rhino, The Lizard, Two Vultures and Kraven the Hunter.
In 'Hulk:Gray' the authors have a present-day Bruce Banner narrates the story of the 48 hours after he first became the Hulk, in a session with psychiatrist/friend Leonard 'Doc' Samson. Again, the story also delves into the love triangle of sorts between Banner/The Hulk/and a now departed Betty Ross...interrupted by some run-ins w/ arch-enemy General 'Thunderbolt' Ross and a Mach I Iron Man.
Finally, after almost 4 years, the duo reunite to give us 'Captain America: White'. The series will actually start later this year, but a preview/prequel Issue #0 just started hitting the racks w/ a story explaining the origin of his original side kick Bucky. For those aware of Cap's storied past, you can see the huge potential for some interesting parity to the other books tales of relationship/loss. Exciting stuff.
The storytelling and art blend together perfectly on all counts in all three books. Never heavy-handed but extremely powerful and engaging. They are all good, but if you've seen Tim's kick ass work on the cavalcade of Batman baddies...you are in for a treat w/ 'Spiderman: Blue'. I know for sure that 'Hulk:Gray' is out of print, but all of these are worth looking for. Enjoy.
In celebration of the not just the clinching the NL Central Division Championship, but clinching home field advantage for the first two rounds of the playoffs...I bought myself a new Cooperstown 1914 Road Cap. I have a different one I got for Father's Day two years back that is on it's last leg. It's time.
